Golf club with directional based graphic

ABSTRACT

A golf club having at least one directional based graphic on the golf club it disclosed. More specifically, the golf club in accordance with the present invention will have at least one directional based graphic that will only be visible when the golf club is oriented in a desirable direction while staying invisible in all other undesirable directions.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to a golf club with directionalbased graphics. More specifically, the present invention relates to agolf club having at least one directional based graphic that are onlyvisible when the golf club is oriented in a preferred direction, whilebecoming completely invisible in other undesirable directions. Even morespecifically, the present invention relates to a golf club wherein thedirectional based graphic could be applied to the shaft of the golfclub, the crown of the golf club, the hosel of the golf club, or eventhe ferrule of the golf club all offering graphic that are only visiblewhen the golf club is oriented in a specific desirable direction.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Golf club designs have evolved significantly since the inception of thegame of golf. Although it may be hard to imagine, but the game of golfstarted with wooden drivers and crude iron clubs having names such ascleeks, mashies, and niblicks. Since then, golf club technology hasevolved into 460 cubic centimeter (CC) oversized drivers, multimaterialcavity back irons, and even adjustable weighted putters.

While the game of golf has struggled to strike the correct balancebetween technology and tradition, there is no question thattechnological advancements within the golf equipment industry havechanged the way the game is played. Putter type golf clubs have evolvedto contain various weighting or alignment technology to allow for a moreconsistent putting swing. Wedge type golf clubs have evolved to containvarious groove configurations allowing for better backspin by treadingmore water and debris from the surface of the wedge. Iron type golfclubs have evolved to be made from various different materials havingvarious different geometries that may even contain hollow cavities formore forgiveness and a higher trajectory. Finally, it is arguable thatdriver type golf clubs have made the most significant technical strideby incorporating technological advancements such as exponentiallyincreasing the volume of the head, utilizing a combination ofalternative materials for the driver head itself, lowering the center ofgravity of the driver head, and even new ways to adjust the connectivitybetween a driver head and its shaft to create a driver capable ofachieving multiple various orientations.

In line with the technological advancements, alignment of a golf clubwith its intended target line has always been one of the most importantaspects of the golf game. In response to this need, golf clubs have beenmanufactured to contain various alignment aids to help a golfer properlyalign their golf clubs with the intended target. Take for example U.S.Pat. No. 3,989,257 to Barr titled Golf Putter ('257 patent) discloses agolf putter apparatus having a putter head with a front driving facehaving convex, horizontal, and vertical curves each approximatingellipse where a striking point indicator is located on top of the putterhead so that striking a golf ball on the driving face of the putter headat the approximate indicated striking point will compensate for minutemovement of a golfer's wrist.

Alignment aids have also been used in driver type golf club heads asindicated in U.S. Pat. No. 7,186,185 to Nagy titled Gold (Sic) Club withCustomizable Alignment Sighting and Weighting Device (185 Patent). The'185 patent relates generally to a customizable alignment sightingdevice for a golf club that is mounted to an upper surface of the headof the golf club with a sighting element providing the user a visualtarget indicator for desirable alignment of the club head with theuser's line of sight. When not aligned, the sighting element provides anindication of the magnitude and direction of misalignment.

In addition to the numerous attempts to place alignment marks on thecrown or top portion of a golf club, other unconventional locations havebeen utilized to place such alignment marks. U.S. Pat. No. 5,228,695 toMeyer titled Golf Club Including Alignment Device ('695 patent) placessuch an alignment device on the shaft axis and discloses a golf clubprovided with an alignment device for indicating when the face of theclub is properly aligned. The alignment device comprises a linearopticscreen or lenticular decal which provides a three-dimensional indicator,such as a line which appears below the top surface of the screen forindicating when the face is aligned.

Although these attempts to help align the golf club to the target do agood job at indicating when a golf club is in alignment, they mayinterfere with the vision of a golfer and could distract the golfer fromthe actual execution of the shot. Once the golfer confirms the properalignment of the golf club, the golfer's focus generally shifts toperforming the golf swing, during which he may not want to be distractedby an alignment device that could disrupt his concentration. Hence, itwould be ideal for a golf club to contain an alignment device that wouldonly appear when the golfer is concerned with his alignment, and woulddisappear once proper alignment is reached.

In addition to the above, the technological advancement of adjustablehosels within a driver type golf club head has created an additionaldistraction for a golfer when the golfer attempts to execute a golfshot. More specifically, when golf club shafts were designed to beassembled in a singular orientation, the shaft graphic can be placed onthe bottom portion of the shaft facing away from the golfer so thegolfer does not see any of the shaft graphic when looking at a golf clubfrom an address position. Having the shaft graphic pointed away from theline of sight of a golfer gives the shaft the much needed aestheticsappeal while not distracting the golfer when the golfer actuallyexecutes a golf shot. However, when a golf club incorporates anadjustable hosel that rotates the shaft to achieve different performancecharacteristics, the orientation of the graphic on the shaft turns withthe golf club relative to the shaft, it results in the shaft graphicbeing at odd orientations to a prospective golfer when he is trying toexecute a golf shot, rendering the shaft graphic to be a distraction forthe golfer.

It can be seen from the above that there is a need in the field for agolf club with directional based graphic that may be used to help agolfer ensure proper alignment of the golf club. Additionally, there isa need in the field for a golf club having directional based graphic onthe shaft that would only appear in a desirable direction and becompletely invisible in another direction to avoid distracting a golferduring a swing. More specifically, these directional based shaft graphicshould be visible only when viewed from a preferred direction whileremaining completely invisible from an undesirable direction.Consequently, there is a need in the field for a golf club withdirectional based graphic that can be used for alignment purposes aswell as serve the purpose of providing graphic display on the shaftwhile all at the same time being capable of being invisible in anundesirable orientation.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One aspect of the present invention is directed to a golf clubcomprising a grip, a head, and a shaft. The grip is located at aproximal end of the golf club. The head is located at a distal end ofthe golf club. The shaft is connected between the grip and the head. Theshaft of the golf club is further comprised of an at least onedirectional based graphic that is only visible from a desirable anglewhile being invisible from an undesirable angle.

In another aspect of the present invention is a golf club comprising ofa grip, a head, and a shaft. The grip is located at a proximal end ofthe golf club. The head is located at a distal end of the golf club. Theshaft is connected between the grip and the head. The head of the golfclub further comprises of at least one directional based graphic that isonly visible from a desirable angle while being invisible from anundesirable angle.

In a further aspect of the present invention, a golf club comprises agrip, a head, and a shaft. The grip is located at a proximal end of thegolf club. The head is located at a distal end of the golf club. Theshaft is connected between the grip and the head. The golf club mayfurther comprise of at least one directional based graphic that is onlyvisible from a desirable angle while being invisible from an undesirableangle. The directional based graphic further comprises of a plurality oflenticular lenses having a convex external surface at an externalportion of the directional based graphic as well as an underlyinggraphic panel attached to the internal surface of the plurality oflenticular lenses. The convex external surface of the plurality oflenticular lenses determines whether the underlying graphic panel may bevisible through the directional based graphic.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the presentinvention will become better understood with references to the followingdrawings, description and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing and other features and advantages of the invention will beapparent from the following description of the invention as illustratedin the accompanying drawings. The accompanying drawings, which areincorporated herein and form a part of the specification, further serveto explain the principles of the invention and to enable a personskilled in the pertinent art to make and use the invention.

FIG. 1 shows a prospective view of a golf club in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 shows a further prospective view of a golf club in accordancewith an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 shows a further prospective view of a golf club in accordancewith an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 shows an enlarged view of the shaft of a golf club in accordancewith an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 a shows an enlarged view of the directional based graphic inaccordance with a further embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 b shows an enlarged view of the directional based graphic inaccordance with a further embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 c shows an enlarged view of the directional based graphic inaccordance with a further embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 d shows an enlarged view of the directional based graphic inaccordance with a further embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 shows a prospective view of a golf club in accordance with afurther embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 shows a top view of the head of a golf club in accordance with afurther embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 shows a further top view of the head of a golf club in accordancewith a further embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9 shows a further top view of the head of a golf club in accordancewith a further embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 10 shows an enlarged view of the hosel of a golf club in accordancewith a further embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 11 shows a prospective view of a golf club in an address positionin accordance with a further embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplatedmodes of carrying out the invention. The description is not to be takenin a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustratingthe general principles of the invention, since the scope of theinvention is best defined by the appended claims.

Various inventive features are described below that can each be usedindependently of one another or in combination with other features.However, any single inventive feature may not address any or all of theproblems discussed above or may only address one of the problemsdiscussed above. Further, one or more of the problems discussed abovemay not be fully addressed by any of the features described below.

FIG. 1 shows a prospective view of a golf club 100 in accordance with anexemplary embodiment of the present invention. In this exemplaryembodiment, it can be seen that the golf club 100 has a head 102 placedat a distal end of the golf club 100 with a hosel extending upwards fromthe crown of the golf club head 102. Connected to the club head 102 is ashaft 106 stemming from the hosel part of the golf club head 102 with aferrule 104 placed over the hosel. Finally, a grip 108 connected to aproximal end of the golf club 100 via the shaft 106 opposite of the head102. It should be noted that in the current exemplary embodiment, theshaft 106 of the current golf club 100 may have a directional basedgraphic 110 on the shaft itself that can only be seen from a desirableangle wherein the line of vision 112 stemming from the viewer's eyes 114is substantially perpendicular to the shaft 106. It may be beneficial tohave the directional based graphic 110 only be visible from thisdesirable angle because a golfer may generally read the directionalbased graphic 110 on the shaft 106 from a substantially perpendicularorientation.

Directional based graphic 110 on shafts 106 may be comprised of numerousmixtures of numbers, letters, symbols, decorative patterns, or evenlogos that add to the aesthetic appeal of the golf club 100. Thedirectional based graphic 110, in order to maximize exposure andreadability on a tubular shaped shaft, may generally run horizontallyacross the length of the shaft 106, making them more susceptible to beviewed from a pair of eyes 114 that are substantially perpendicular tothe shaft 106. Although the directional based graphic 110 may serve theimportant purpose of conveying a message and a visual stimulant to thegolfer; these directional based graphic 110 could potentially distract agolfer when the golfer looks down on the shaft 106 while trying toexecute a golf shot.

Because such directional based graphic 110 could be a distraction to thegolfer, the directional based graphic 110 in accordance with the currentinvention may disappear and become invisible once the viewer's eyes 114are no longer viewing the directional based graphic 110 from an anglethat is substantially perpendicular to the shaft 106. In order tofurther illustrate the disappearance of the directional based graphic110, FIG. 2 shows an example of a golf club 200 in accordance with theexemplary embodiment of the present invention wherein the directionalbased graphic 110 shown in FIG. 1 become invisible when the viewer'seyes 214 deviate from the substantially perpendicular direction show inFIG. 1. In this current exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the lineof vision 212 from the viewer's eyes 214 may form an angle α with theshaft 206, which is not substantially perpendicular to the shaft 206.More specifically, angle α may be less than about 85 degrees, morepreferably less than about 80 degrees, and most preferably less thanabout 75 degrees. Alternatively speaking, directional based graphic 110may only be seen when the line of vision is within an angle β of about20 degrees of being perpendicular to the shaft 206, more preferablywithin about 10 degrees of being perpendicular to the shaft 206, andmost preferably within about 5 degrees of being perpendicular to theshaft 206.

Because the viewer's eyes 214 are not substantially perpendicular to theshaft 206 in FIG. 2, the directional based graphic 110 that was visiblein FIG. 1 from a substantially perpendicular angle is no longer visible,leaving a shaft 206 without any distracting graphic to affect thegolfer.

FIG. 3 shows the golf club 300 in accordance with an exemplaryembodiment of the present invention wherein the viewer's eyes 314 may belooking at the golf club 300 from an address position parallel to anddirectly down the shaft 306. As it can be seen from FIG. 3, the line ofvision 312 being directly parallel to the shaft 306, creates an angle ofabout 0 degrees between the line of vision 312 and the shaft 306. Whenthe golf club 300 is viewed from the address position, the directionalbased graphic 110 that were visible in FIG. 1 are no longer visiblebecause the angle formed between the line of vision 312 from theviewer's eyes 314 and the shaft 306 is about 0 degrees. It may generallybe desirable for the shaft directional based graphic 110 to be invisiblewhen the golf club 300 sits in the address position as it minimize theexposure and distraction of the directional based graphic 110 on thegolfer.

In order to achieve the directional based appearance and disappearanceof the directional based graphic 110 on the golf club, the directionalbased graphic 110 may need to be visible in one direction whileinvisible in another direction. FIG. 4 shows an enlarged view of theshaft 406 of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention whereinthe directional based graphic 410 further comprise of a plurality oflenticular lenses 420 and an underlying graphic panel 411. The pluralityof lenticular lenses 420 combined with the underlying graphic panel 411allows for the underlying graphic panel 411 to only be visible from adesirable orientation achieving the desirable results of the directionalbased graphic 110. More specifically, FIG. 4 shows an enlarged side viewof the directional based graphic 410 over the shaft 406 containing aplurality of lenticular lenses that only allows the underlying graphicpanel 411 to be visible only from a desirable direction that issubstantially perpendicular to the shaft 406.

Here, the plurality of lenticular lenses 420, due partially to theircurved surfaces, only allow the line of sight 412 from the viewer's eyes414 to pass directly through the plurality of lenticular lenses 420 andsee the underlying graphic panel 411 when it is viewed from asubstantially perpendicular orientation. When not viewed from an anglethat is substantially perpendicular to the shaft 406, the plurality oflenticular lenses 420 will refract the line of sight 412 from theviewer's eyes 414 away from the underlying graphic panel 411, preventingthe viewer's eyes to see the underlying graphic panel 411. Utilizing thelenticular lenses 420 on the shaft 406 to cover up the underlyinggraphic panel 411 will allow the underlying graphic panel 411 in thecurrent exemplary embodiment to be visible only from a desirableorientation that is substantially perpendicular to the shaft 406 whileat the same time prevent the underlying graphic panel 411 to be seenwhen the viewer's eyes 414 are looking at the shaft 406 from anundesirable angle that is not substantially perpendicular to the shaft406. More details on the specifics of lenticular technology can be foundin U.S. Pat. No. 3,538,632 to Anderson titled Lenticular Device andMethod for Providing Same, U.S. Pat. No. 3,582,329 to Ivanov et. al.titled Method of Making Lenticular Screens, and U.S. Pat. No. 2,833,176to Ossoinak titled Arrangement for the Exhibition of Dynamic Scenes toan Observer in Movement With Respect to a Screen; the disclosures ofwhich have been incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.

FIGS. 5 a, 5 b, and 5 c show alternative embodiment of the presentinvention wherein the directional based graphic 110 may appear anddisappear based on the orientation of the shaft 506. More specifically,the directional based graphic 110 portion of the shaft 506 within thisalternative embodiment of the present invention may appear and disappearutilizing a shaft 506 having a clear fluid chamber 531 filled with anopaque fluid 530 that may help cover up the underlying graphic panel511. Opaque fluid 530, as shown in this current exemplary embodiment inFIGS. 5 a, 5 b, and 5 c may generally flow from one side of the clearfluid chamber 531 to another utilizing gravitational forces resultingfrom the orientation change. In one orientation shown in FIG. 5 a, theshaft 506 is oriented in a direction allowing the viewer's eyes to lookat the shaft 506 from a substantially parallel position. In thisorientation, the opaque fluid 530 may gather at the shallow end of theclear fluid chamber 531 allowing the underlying graphic panel 511 toshow through. In an alternative orientation shown in FIG. 5 c, the shaft506 is oriented in a direction that results from the viewer's eyeslooking at the shaft 506 from another position not substantiallyparallel to the shaft 506. As FIG. 5 c shows, under this orientation,the underlying graphic panel 511 is covered by the opaque fluid 530making the underlying graphic panel 511 invisible. Finally, in anotherorientation shown in FIG. 5 b, the shaft 506 is in an intermediatetransition phase between being substantially parallel to the viewer'seyes in FIG. 5 a and not being substantially parallel to the viewer'seyes in FIG. 5 c. In this intermediate transition phase shown in FIG. 5b, it can be seen that the underlying graphic panel 511 may be partiallyblocked by the opaque fluid 530 further illustrating the concept behindthe appearance and disappearance of the underlying graphic panel 511under this alternative embodiment of the present invention.

Turning now to FIG. 5 d showing a further alternative embodiment of thepresent invention wherein the clear fluid chamber 531 is filled with aclear fluid instead of an opaque fluid 530, but utilizes a sleeve 532that travels in and out of the clear fluid chamber 531 to cover up theunderlying graphic panel 511. Under this alternative embodiment, theclear fluid may fill up the entire clear fluid chamber 531 and maygenerally be clear in color so the underlying graphic panel 511 maystill be seen when the sleeve 532 is moved away from the underlyinggraphic panel 511. The clear fluid may generally be used to guide themovement of the sleeve 532 within the clear fluid chamber 531 of theshaft 506 in accordance with the different orientations of shaft 506. Inone orientation, when the shaft 506 is positioned substantiallyperpendicular to the viewer's eyes in a horizontal orientation, thegravitational force will generally force the sleeve 532 to move awayfrom the underlying graphic panel 511, making the underling graphicpanel 511 visible. Alternatively, in another orientation when the shaftis not positioned substantially perpendicular to the viewer's eyes butin a vertical orientation, the gravitational force will move the sleeve532 over the underlying graphic panel 511 concealing the underlyinggraphic panel 511. It may generally be advantageous to use a sleeve 532in combination with a clear fluid because this alternative embodimentwill allow the entire clear fluid chamber 531 to be filled with a fluid,preventing undesirable sloshing sound that could result from a partiallyfilled clear fluid chamber 531. More details on utilizing a fluid 530and a sleeve 532 to control the display of the underlying graphic panel511 may be found in U.S. Pat. No. 2,264,194 to Wuestman titledAdvertising Pencil, Pen or the Like and U.S. Pat. No. 4,037,343 toLonsmin titled Novelty Writing Instrument Having An Appearing AndDisappearing Personal Name; the disclosure of both are hereinincorporated by reference in their entirety.

FIG. 6 shows a further alternative embodiment of the present inventionwherein the golf club 600 may utilize an accelerometer 650 to determinethe orientation of the shaft 606 which in turn determines the visibilityof the directional based graphic 610. An accelerometer 650 may generallymeasure the acceleration that it experiences relative to freefall inorder to detect the magnitude and direction of the acceleration as avector quantity. This vector quantity can be used to sense theorientation, vibration, or even shock of the accelerometer 650 in orderto determine the visibility of the directional based graphic 610 underthis embodiment. In one embodiment, the accelerometer 650 may be placedwithin the grip 608 of the golf club 600 because the grip may generallybe oriented in the same direction as the shaft 606 to determine thevisibility of the directional based graphic 610. More specifically, theaccelerometer 650 shown in FIG. 6 within the grip 608 may help sense theorientation of the golf club 600. When the golf club 600 is oriented ina desirable direction, the accelerometer 650 will allow the directionalbased graphic 610 to be visible. Alternatively, when the golf club 600is not oriented in a desirable direction, the accelerometer 650 will notallow the directional based graphic 610 to be seen. More specifically,the directional based graphic 610 in this current embodiment maygenerally be comprised of a polarized material that may change itsvisibility based on an electrical signal. This electrical signal may beprovided by the accelerometer 650, which turns on and off the polarizeddirectional based graphic 610 depending on the orientation of the golfclub 600.

In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the accelerometer650 may be placed within the shaft 606 of the golf club 600, as theorientation of the shaft 606 may generally determine whether thedirectional based graphic 610 should be seen. Finally, in a furtheralternative embodiment of the present invention, the accelerometer 650may also be placed within the head 602 of the golf club 100, as certainhead orientations will also determine whether the directional basedgraphic should be visible. It should be noted that the accelerometer 650shown in FIG. 6 may be placed at either of the above locations, allthree of the above locations, or any other location within the golf club100 so long as it is capable of determining the orientation of the golfclub 100 all without departing from the scope and content of the presentinvention.

FIG. 7 here shows a further alternative embodiment of the presentinvention wherein directional based graphic 710 may be applied to thecrown 740 portion of the golf club head 702 to help with alignment ofthe golf club head 702 with an intended path 742. Shown here in FIG. 7,the golf club head 702 is pointed away from the intended path 742 asindicated by the misalignment of the central line 744 of the golf clubhead 702 with the intended path 742. When the central line 744 of thegolf club head 702 is not in alignment with the intended path 742, thedirectional based graphic 710 may become visible to inform the golfer ofthe misalignment. Directional based graphic 710, as shown in the currentexemplary embodiment may resemble letters, numbers, symbols, arrows, orany other shape capable of indicating misalignment all without departingfrom the scope and content of the present invention. FIG. 7 here showsthe directional based graphic 710 being visible when the golf club head702 is shown in an open orientation.

FIG. 8 shows a further alternative embodiment of the present inventionwherein the golf club head 802 is in a closed orientation. When golfclub head 802 is in a closed position, similar to when a golf club head802 is in an open position, the central line 844 may generally bemisaligned with the intended path 842. When the central line 844 of thegolf club head 802 is not in alignment with the intended path 842, thedirectional based graphic 810 may become visible to inform the golfer ofthe misalignment. Directional based graphic 810, as shown in the currentexemplary embodiment, may resemble letters, numbers, symbols, arrows, orany other shape capable of indicating misalignment all without departingfrom the scope and content of the present invention.

Turning now to FIG. 9, wherein golf club head 902 is properly alignedwith the intended path 842, causing the directional based graphic 710and 810 shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 to disappear. When the golf club head 902is properly aligned, the intended path 842 overlaps the central line744, leaving the crown of the golf club head 902 free of any markings.It may generally be desirable to have the directional based graphic 710and 810 invisible when the golf club head 902 is properly aligned toeliminate distractions that could arise from any graphic display.

In a specific alternative embodiment of the present invention, thedirectional based graphic 710 and 810 may become invisible by a merewaggling of the golf club 900. More specifically, if a golf club head902 utilizes graphics that are controlled by a signal producingapparatus such as an accelerometer, such a signal to make thedirectional based graphics 710 and 810 could be activated by thewaggling of the golf club 900 above, causing the directional basedgraphics 710 and 810 to disappear upon a specific command such as awaggle.

It should be noted that in FIGS. 7, 8, and 9, the golf club head 702,802, and 902 may be used to determine the variations in face angle ofthe golf club head. However, the directional based graphic 710 and 810display may also be used to determine variations in lie angle or loftangle of the golf club head 702, 802, and 902 utilizing the samedirectional based graphic 710 and 810 without departing from the scopeand content of the present invention. Moreover, although it may bepreferable to have the directional based graphic 710 and 810 beinvisible when the golf club head 702, 802, and 902 is properly aligned,the directional based graphic 710 and 810 could be visible only when thegolf club head 702, 802, and 902 is properly aligned without departingfrom the scope and content of the present invention.

FIG. 10 shows a further alternative embodiment of the present inventionwherein the directional based graphic 1010 may be used on the hosel 1004of the golf club to help with the matching and orientating of the hosel1004 with the various settings generally needed to identify variousorientations of an adjustable hosel 1004. More specifically, thedirectional based graphic 1010 may be used to show certain connectionbased labels such as being open, closed, or neutral only when the hosel1004 and the golf club head 1002 combine with each other to generate theappropriate orientation. For example, the directional based graphic 1010may show an open setting when the hosel 1004 and the golf club head 1002combine to create a golf club head 1002 that has an open face angle.Alternatively, the directional based graphic 1010 may show a closedsetting when the hosel 1004 and the golf club head 1002 combine tocreate a golf club head 1002 that has a closed face angle.

FIG. 11 shows a prospective view of a golf club 1100 in accordance witha further alternative embodiment of the present invention at an addressposition. Golf club 1100 shown in FIG. 11 at an address position allowsfor a better distinction of the top side 1160 of the shaft 1106 from thebottom side 1162 of the shaft 1106. As it has been shown by the priorfigures, it may generally be desirable to only have the directionalbased graphic 1110 be visible from the bottom side 1162 of the shaft1106 because it does not create a distraction for the golfer. In thisalternative embodiment of the present invention, the golf club iscapable of recognizing the orientation of the shaft 1106 relative to thehead 1102 via the adjustable hosel 1104 utilizing an accelerometer 1150.Once the orientation of the shaft 1106 relative to the head 1102 isdetermined, the accelerometer may send an electronic signal to thedirectional based graphic 1110 to be only visible on the bottom side1162 of the shaft 1106 while keeping all other directional based graphic1110 completely invisible. Under this embodiment, the directional basedgraphic 1110 is determined based purely on the orientation of the shaft1106 relative to the club head 1102 and stays constantly visible fromthe bottom side 1162 of the shaft 1106 regardless of the orientation ofthe actual club.

Although FIG. 11 shows the golf club 1100 utilizing an accelerometer1150 at either the grip end of the golf club 1100 or the tip end of theshaft 1106, the accelerometer 1150 could be placed at any locationwithin the golf club 1100 so long as it is capable of determining therelative position of the shaft 1106 with respect to the head 1102without departing from the scope and content of the present invention.In lieu of utilizing an accelerometer 1150, the golf club 1100 shown inFIG. 11 could use various connection sensors within the adjustable hosel1104 itself to determine the orientation of the shaft 1106 relative tothe head 1102 to achieve the same objective of only activating thedirectional based graphic 1110 without departing from the scope andcontent of the present invention. Of course, under this embodiment shownin FIG. 11, the shaft 1106 will have to have a plurality of directionalbased graphic 1110 around the circumference of the shaft 1106, only tohave the appropriate directional based graphic 1110 at the bottom side1162 of the shaft 1106 activated based on the relative position of theshaft 1106 to the head 1102.

In a further alternative embodiment of the present invention, the golfclub described above could contain a combination of one or more of thegraphics to achieve multiple purposes without departing from the scopeand content of the present invention. More specifically, a golf clubcould contain the directional based graphic on both the shaft and thehead to allow for a non-distracting shaft graphic as well as analignment aid. Alternatively, a golf club could also contain thedirectional based graphic on the head and the hosel to help with boththe alignment and to help identify the various settings of an adjustablehosel. Finally, a golf club could also contain the directional basedgraphic on the shaft and the hosel to allow for a non-distracting shaftgraphic as well as helping to identify the various settings of anadjustable hosel all without departing from the scope and content of thepresent invention.

It should be noted that the term “graphic” used in all the proceedingfigures are not limited to the specific characters of g, r, a, p, h, i,and c, but relate generally to any sort of visual illustrations withoutdeparting from the scope and content of the present invention. Morespecifically, graphic, as referred to in the figures above could referto a company logo, a company name, a product logo, a product name, agraphical display, an alignment arrow, an alignment logo, an alignmentdot, an alignment line, any types of characters, any type of numbers, orany visual illustration capable of providing a visual feedback allwithout departing from the scope and content of the present invention.

Other than in the operating example, or unless otherwise expresslyspecified, all of the numerical ranges, amounts, values and percentagessuch as those for amounts of materials, moment of inertias, center ofgravity locations, loft, draft angles, various performance ratios, andothers in the following portions of the specification may be read as ifprefaced by the word “about” even though the term “about” may notexpressly appear in the value, amount, or range. Accordingly, unlessindicated to the contrary, the numerical parameters set forth in thefollowing specification and attached claims are approximations that mayvary depending upon the desirable properties sought to be obtained bythe present invention. At the very least, and not as an attempt to limitthe application of the doctrine of equivalents to the scope of theclaims, each numerical parameter should at least be construed in lightof the number of reported significant digits and by applying ordinaryrounding techniques.

Notwithstanding that the numerical ranges and parameters setting forththe broad scope of the invention are approximations, the numericalvalues set forth in the specific examples are reported as precisely aspossible. Any numerical value, however, inherently contains certainerrors necessarily resulting from the standard deviation found in theirrespective testing measurements. Furthermore, when numerical ranges ofvarying scope are set forth herein, it is contemplated that anycombination of these values inclusive of the recited values may be used.

It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates toexemplary embodiments of the present invention and that modificationsmay be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the inventionas set forth in the following claims.

1-20. (canceled)
 21. A golf club comprising: a golf club head, a shaftextending from the head, a grip disposed on the shaft distal from thehead, a controllable graphic disposed on a surface of the golf club, andan accelerometer mounted on the golf club and operable to control thecontrollable graphic.
 22. The golf club of claim 21, wherein theaccelerometer is operable to detect a waggle and respond to the waggleby making the controllable graphic disappear.
 23. The golf club of claim22, wherein the graphic aids in determining a loft angle of the clubhead.
 24. The golf club of claim 22, wherein the graphic aids indetermining a lie angle of the club head.
 25. The golf club of claim 21,wherein the graphic comprises a directional based graphic.
 26. The golfclub of claim 25, wherein the directional based graphic is visible whenthe golf club is in a first orientation relative to a golfer and notvisible when in a second orientation relative to the golfer.
 27. Thegolf club of claim 26, wherein the directional based graphic comprises apolarized material that changes visibility based on an electricalsignal.
 28. The golf club of claim 27, wherein the electrical signal isprovided by the accelerometer.
 29. The golf club of claim 28, whereinthe accelerometer turns the polarized material of the directional basedgraphic on and off depending on the orientation of the golf club. 30.The golf club of claim 21, wherein the graphic is disposed on a crown ofthe club head and is controlled by a waggle detected by theaccelerometer.
 31. The golf club of claim 30, wherein the graphicprovides an alignment aid.
 32. The golf club of claim 31, whereingraphic is, once activated, visible when the club head is misaligned andnot visible when the club head is aligned.
 33. The golf club of claim21, further comprising an adjustable hosel, wherein the graphic aids inidentifying orientations of the adjustable hosel, and further wherein awaggle activates the graphic.
 34. A golf club comprising: a grip at aproximal end of the golf club, a head at a distal end of the golf club,a shaft connected between the grip and the head, and a graphic disposedon a surface of the golf club, wherein a visibility of the graphic ischanged by a golfer waggling the golf club.
 35. The golf club of claim34, wherein the graphic is controlled by a signal processing apparatusthat responds to the golfer waggling the golf club.
 36. The golf club ofclaim 35, wherein the signal processing apparatus comprises anaccelerometer operable to detect a specific command.
 37. The golf clubof claim 36, wherein the specific command detected by the accelerometeris a waggle.
 38. The golf club of claim 36, wherein the waggle causesthe graphic to disappear.
 39. A golf club comprising: a golf club head,a shaft extending from the head, a grip disposed on the shaft distalfrom the head, and a directional based graphic on a surface of the clubhead, wherein the directional based graphic is only visible from adesirable angle while invisible from an undesirable angle, and furtherwherein waggling the golf club causes the directional based graphic todisappear.
 40. The golf club of claim 39, further comprising anaccelerometer to detect a waggle and further wherein the directionalbased graphic comprises a polarized material that changes visibilitybased on an electrical signal provided by the accelerometer in responseto the waggle.